Delivered by Young Enterprise NI (YENI), in partnership with local councils through the Go Succeed Business Support Programme, Future Founders was established to inspire ambition and entrepreneurship across Northern Ireland’s FE colleges. Future Founders is part of a wider initiative delivered across all 11 council areas and all six colleges in Northern Ireland, aimed at building a strong pipeline of entrepreneurial talent.
The event opened with a welcome from Cllr Claire Kemp, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC), who talked about the Future Founders programme and how the Council are supporting young people into entrepreneurial journeys. She concluded by thanking YENI and SERC for partnering with the Council and Go Succeed.
At the event, students heard from local entrepreneurs who shared their journeys, challenges and advice for future founders. Speakers included Alastair Luke, creator of Attention X, a business designed to help clients hold the attention of their audience. Neal Lucas MD, creator of Lucas Executive Search, a recruitment service, and Nicola Williams, owner of Invitation to Rise, who hosts her own workshops to improve people's wellbeing. Students also got to ask questions to these local business owners, giving the students answers to help them further their business ideas.
The programme was facilitated by Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com), which is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support – including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning – at every stage of their growth journey.
To find out more about Go Succeed visit: www.go-succeed.com.
